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Locals united Saturday for a hero's homecoming: a "welcome home" celebration and walk around the track for runner Meb Keflezighi, the winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon. The celebration was held at Keflezighi's former school, San Diego High School. (Published Saturday, May 10, 2014)

Updated at 2:59 PM PDT on Saturday, May 10, 2014

San Diego’s Meb Keflezighi – the runner who won the 2014 Boston Marathon last month – got quite the homecoming Saturday when locals gathered to celebrate his big victory with an outdoor party at his former high school.

The “Walk with Meb” and welcome home shindig ran from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at San Diego High School’s Balboa Stadium and Track located at 1405 Park Blvd. .

Holding hands with family members, Keflezighi took a victory lap around the very track that he called home for so many years.

“It’s great to be here, back at my high school, San Diego High School, where it all started – freshman year, 1990,” Keflezighi told NBC 7 as he took a lap around the track with fellow San Diegans.

San Diego Meb Keflezighi Day Hometown Celebration

“This is amazing. People who’ve been here through the bad and the good, the ups and downs of life. My parents are here, my siblings are here and family and teachers – this is just an amazing moment for me. Thank you so much,” he added.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer presented Keflezighi with a key to America’s Finest City. Keflezighi was honored by the gesture.

At the same time, the athlete also set a personal record, crossing the finish line with one fist pumping in the air with a time of 2:08:37. That's 30 seconds faster than his previous personal best of 2:09:08 in Houston two years ago at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

“It was a very necessary moment for us, for the United States,” Keflezighi said of his big win.

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NBC 7's Omari Fleming reports from San Diego High where a former coach says Meb Keflezighi showed signs he was destined for greatness.
(Published Tuesday, April 22, 2014)

“Coming as an American, to be able turn that left turn and to get that crowd going. I made sure to look up,” he said referring to the section of the course involved in last year's deadly bombing.

“This is beyond running. This is for the people. This is for Boston Strong,” he said at the finish line on April 21.